Guide to the Pearl Simon Kaye papers, 1920-1923

Descriptive Summary

Creator Kaye, Pearl Simon
Title Pearl Simon Kaye papers
Dates 1920-1923
Identification MS 273
Quantity 1.7 linear feet (1 oversize container)
Collection Abstract The collection consists of one scrapbook documenting life as an undergraduate student at Simmons College in the early 1920s. Many materials represent societal discourse regarding flappers and college women in this era. The scrapbook depicts the social lives of college women in the 1920s through theater programs, dance cards, and photographs of Pearl, her friends, family, and men in her life. Jewish life at Simmons in this era is also highlighted through clippings and programs related to the Menorah Society and various Jewish events in the Boston area. Simmons traditions are also significantly represented with materials related to Class Day, Proms, May Day, Field Day, Freshman Frolic, and Track Day. Student efforts in the 1920s Endowment Campaign for Simmons are also represented.
Historical Abstract Pearl Loretta Simon Kaye (1902-1989) graduated from Simmons in 1923 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. While at Simmons, Pearl participated in the Ssh Committee during her sophomore year and Corridor Committee her junior year. Pearl was also involved in the Menorah Society at Simmons. She served as the group’s Secretary her junior year and Vice-President her senior year.
Language Material in English
Location Collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Archives staff for more information.

Information for Users

Access Restrictions

Collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Copyright for materials resides with the creators of the items in question, unless otherwise designated.

Publishing permission

Please contact the University Archivist with requests to publish any material from the collection.

Handling Information

Materials are in fragile condition.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item: description and date], Pearl Simon Kaye papers, MS 273, Simmons University Archives, Boston, MA, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Accession number: 2024.003

Processing Information

Processed by Kelsey Kolbet

This collection guide was encoded by Kelsey Kolbet, June 2024.


Biographical Note

Pearl Loretta Simon Kaye (1902-1989) was born and raised in Massachusetts. She graduated from Dorchester High School in 1919 then entered Simmons College as an undergraduate student the same year. While at Simmons, Pearl participated in the Ssh Committee during her sophomore year and Corridor Committee her junior year. Pearl was also involved in the Menorah Society at Simmons. She served as the group’s Secretary her junior year and Vice-President her senior year. Pearl took a leave of absence for a half-term following an appendectomy. As the 1923 Microcosm commented, “She’s the kind of girl who can lose half a term for such a minor thing as an operation for appendicitis; come back smiling in an incredibly short time, and then capture all the A’s given at Harvard Summer School while she is making up that half-term.” Pearl graduated from Simmons in 1923 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. After graduation, Pearl married Abraham Isaac Kaye in 1924. The couple wed at Beacon House in Brookline, Massachusetts and resided in Newton, Massachusetts. Together they had three children: Richard Leon Kaye (born 1925), Adele Sheila Kaye (born 1928), and David Herschel Kay (born 1932). Pearl worked as a homemaker and described herself as the “general manager, cook, dietician, and treasurer of the Kaye household” in the Simmons College Class of 1923 Fifteenth Reunion Handbook. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Sisterhood of Temple Emanuel and was a member of a number of groups including the Jewish Women’s College Club, Hadassah, Associated Jewish Philanthropies, Hecht House Auxiliary, Beth Israel Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Helping Hand Home. Pearl died in Massachusetts in 1989.


Collection Overview

The Pearl Simon Kaye papers consist of one scrapbook documenting life as an undergraduate student at Simmons College from 1920 until her graduation in 1923. Many materials represent societal discourse regarding flappers and college women in the 1920s. In addition, the scrapbook depicts the social lives of college women in the 1920s through theater programs, dance cards, and photographs of Pearl, her friends, family, and men in her life. Jewish life at Simmons in this era is also highlighted through clippings and programs related to the Menorah Society and various Jewish events in the Boston area. Simmons traditions are also significantly represented with materials related to Class Day, Proms, May Day, Field Day, Freshman Frolic, and Track Day. Student efforts in the 1920s Endowment Campaign for Simmons are also represented.


Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Kaye, Pearl Simon
Scrapbooks.
Simmons College (Boston, Mass.) -- Students
Theater programs
Women college students -- Massachusetts -- Boston